Native Maize Starch

What is it?

Native maize starch is a plant-based ingredient used in food, which is obtained from maize. It belongs to the carbohydrates family.

This native starch is a white or cream-coloured, fine and homogeneous powder, with a neutral taste and odour. Its calorific value is 4 kcal/g (similar to all other carbohydrates).

Native maize starch is simply extracted from maize using a wet milling process. It is then purified and dried.

Where and Why is it used?

Native maize starch is used in many food products such as soups, meat preparations, sauces, pastas, creams and pastries, mainly its gelling, texturizing or thickening properties. It is also sold on its own as a kitchen cupboard culinary ingredient.

Maize starch can thicken ingredients, retain moisture, reduce viscosity, offer freeze-thaw stability, stabilize ingredients and replace fats. It is also a gelling agent and flour adjuster for biscuits and cakes.

In food, maize starch is listed as “(maize) starch” on the ingredients list.